2027 Budget Survey

Work to review and approve the City of Burlington’s 2027 budget will begin in December 2026, after Burlington’s 2026 municipal election is complete and the new City Council is sworn in (Nov. 16, 2026).

Engagement opportunities to tell us about your priorities for the 2027 budget are underway now with the annual online budget survey. Hearing from you is an important step in the budget process. With rising costs and global economic shifts, better understanding your priorities will assist City Council in their decision making as they strive to balance affordability and maintain the essential services that provide for a high-quality of life in our city.

Please use this survey to share which city services and programs matter most to you. Your feedback will be shared with City Council to help guide their discussion and decisions on the 2027 budget.

As a reminder, the City of Burlington is not responsible for garbage/recycling collection, police, public health and paramedic services. These services are managed by Halton Region.

Personal information being collected in this survey is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25 and disclosure of responses will be governed by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.56. Personal information will be used to inform the 2027 Budget project of the diverse backgrounds of survey participants and ensure inclusive representation. Your personal information is confidential and survey responses will only be reported in a de-identified, aggregate manner. They may be included in a corporate dashboard or Council report to highlight the range of perspectives gathered. For questions regarding the collection, use and disclosure of this information, please contact the Manager of Engagement & Marketing at getinvolved@burlington.ca. The survey is available in print, alternative formats or with communication support by contacting getinvolved@burlington.ca

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Before you begin the survey, here is some background information about the 2026 budget.

Current 2026 budget projections

City Council approved the 2026 Financial Forecast report on July 15, with a focus on limiting tax impacts for residents. The report provides a preliminary look at the economic pressures and service needs that will shape the 2026 city budget.

These key priorities include:

Investing in city operations and asset maintenance, including forestry service for improved air quality and vibrant outdoor recreational spaces, and transit maintenance to limit service disruptions

Capital program needs to provide reliable safe infrastructure, including the renewal of our aging roads and stormwater system improvements for flood protection

Improving services for our growing city, including cleaner parks and public spaces, new active transportation facilities to provide a range of safe, accessible options for getting around Burlington, and the revitalization of aging recreation facilities

Supporting the operations of new infrastructure investments made in previous budget years, such as expanded transit service and information technology projects to enhance City operations and customer service

Meeting inflationary pressures, including higher construction costs and tariffs on materials

Identifying efficiencies and establishing clear priorities to find savings, avoid unnecessary costs, and make the most of available resources.

Addressing assessment growth, which brings more tax revenue but also increases the need for expanded services and infrastructure to support a growing community

The current projected total tax increase is 4.49 per cent. This is the forecasted increase in the amount you will pay in taxes from 2025 to 2026, for services from Burlington, Halton Region and the Boards of Education.

As part of the budget process, Council endorsed a Mayoral Direction for City staff to prepare a budget that results in a total tax increase in the order of 4.5 per cent, with the City of Burlington’s share of taxes being less than 3 per cent.

For more information on budget projections, visit www.getinvolvedburlington.ca/2026budget